A Romanian Referee Takes Charge of Match No. 1000, Lamine Yamal Scores His First World Cup Goal, and Egypt Earns Their First-Ever World Cup Victory on Day 11 of the Tournament on Antena 1, the Clear Ratings Leader

The world’s most-watched sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, broadcast exclusively within the Antena universe both this year and in 2030, continues to shine every day while maintaining its leading position in the ratings rankings. Viewers followed live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY a remarkable milestone for Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal during the Group H clash between Spain and Saudi Arabia. That match, together with the Group G encounter between Belgium and Iran and the Group E fixture Ecuador vs. Curaçao—whose audience figures were released today—ranked as clear ratings leaders.

Match No. 1000 in World Cup history also marked an important moment for Romanian refereeing, as it was officiated by Romanian referee István Kovács, who took charge of his first match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The battle for qualification to the Round of 32 continues today, exclusively on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Yesterday, Antena 1 topped the ratings charts both in Prime Time and across the entire day.

The Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia, played from 7:01 PM to 9:01 PM and ending in a 4–0 victory for Spain, was viewers’ first choice. Among the commercial audience aged 21–54, it recorded a 28.3% market share and an average rating of 6.1 points, ahead of Pro TV, which achieved a 19.7% market share and a 4.2-point rating.

The same ranking was maintained among urban viewers, where the match posted a 24.6% market share and a 7-point rating, compared with Pro TV’s 16.6% market share and 4.7-point rating. Nationwide, Antena 1 recorded a 20.6% market share and a 5.5-point rating, ahead of Pro TV’s 16.8% market share and 4.5-point rating. At the golden minute (9:00 PM), more than 1.2 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1.

The Group G encounter between Belgium and Iran, broadcast from 10:00 PM to 12:01 AM and ending 0–0, was also the most-watched program in its time slot. It achieved a 25.3% market share and a 5.8-point rating among viewers aged 21–54, ahead of Pro TV’s 19.7% market share and 4.5-point rating.

The hierarchy remained unchanged among urban viewers, where the match recorded a 23.3% market share and a 6.5-point rating, compared with Pro TV’s 13.8% market share and 3.8-point rating. Nationwide, Antena 1 delivered a 19.6% market share and a 5.3-point rating, ahead of Pro TV’s 14.4% market share and 3.9-point rating. At the golden minute (10:44 PM), more than 1.1 million viewers were tuned in to Antena 1.

Antena 1 also led the ratings across the entire day, posting a 2.6-point rating and a 21.2% market share, as well as throughout Prime Time (7:00 PM–12:00 AM), with a 5.7-point rating and a 25.4% market share.

The previous day’s Group E match between Ecuador and Curaçao, which ended in a 0–0 draw, also topped the ratings charts, registering a 31.4% market share among the commercial audience aged 21–54.

Spain delivered a footballing masterclass against Saudi Arabia, winning 4–0. Luis de la Fuente’s side dominated from the opening minute and avoided a potential crisis after drawing 0–0 with Cape Verde in their opening match.

Spain’s star player, Lamine Yamal, scored his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal and entered football history, joining an exclusive list in which only the legendary Pelé stands above him. With his goal, Yamal became the second-youngest player ever to score both at a FIFA World Cup and at a continental championship—in his case, UEFA EURO 2024, where he scored against France.

The 18-year-old achieved the feat at the age of 18 years and 343 days. The only player to accomplish it at a younger age was Pelé, who did so at 18 years and 138 days following a Copa América campaign in 1959.

Belgium drew 0–0 with Iran live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Belgium’s national team continues to underperform at this World Cup, having now drawn both of its matches. The game featured outstanding performances from both goalkeepers.

The Europeans finished the match with ten men after Ngoy was sent off for a foul as the last defender. Belgium currently competes in Group G alongside Iran, New Zealand, and Egypt. Given the level of the other teams in the group, Belgium’s results have come as a surprise.

Earlier in the day, at 3:00 AM, Ecuador and Curaçao played out an entertaining 0–0 draw in Kansas, broadcast live on Antena 1 and streamed on AntenaPLAY. Both teams missed several clear-cut chances. In the final group-stage round, Ecuador will face already-qualified Germany, while Curaçao will take on Ivory Coast.

At 7:00 AM, in the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history, Japan comfortably defeated Tunisia 4–0 in a match officiated by István Kovács. At Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, the Japanese side put on a dazzling display and eliminated Hervé Renard’s Tunisia from the tournament.

Later that night, in the second round of Group H matches, Vozinha once again stole the spotlight during Uruguay’s 2–2 draw with Cape Verde. Having become a hero after his outstanding performance against Spain, Vozinha touched hearts around the world when he revealed after that match that his mother had been unable to attend because she could not obtain a U.S. visa. This time, however, she was able to watch the Cape Verde star from the stands.

At 4:00 AM, another record was written live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY. Egypt secured its first-ever victory at a FIFA World Cup. In Vancouver, the African side came from 1–0 down against New Zealand to score three goals and claim a historic win.

Egypt now leads Group G with four points, followed by Belgium and Iran with two points each, while New Zealand remains on one point.

FIFA World Cup – Day 12 Schedule

Four matches from Groups I and J will be broadcast live on Antena 1 and streamed on AntenaPLAY. Lionel Messi promises another footballing spectacle in the second round of the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which is being broadcast exclusively in Romania through the Antena Universe.

• Argentina vs. Austria — 8:00 PM (Antena 1 & AntenaPLAY)
• France vs. Iraq — 12:00 AM (Antena 1 & AntenaPLAY)
• Norway vs. Senegal — 3:00 AM (Antena 1 & AntenaPLAY)
• Jordan vs. Algeria — 6:00 AM (Antena 1 & AntenaPLAY)

Source: Fifty5Blue

Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.

Data processed by the Antena Group Research Department.

Analysis conducted for the following target groups: Urban 21–54, Urban All, and National.

Reporting Period: June 21, 2026.